West Michigan Whitecaps can't come up with big hit in 3-1 loss

SOUTH BEND, IN – The West Michigan Whitecaps had the game-tying run in scoring position with one out in the ninth inning on Monday, but it turned out to be a night of missed opportunities as the ‘Caps fell to the South Bend Silver Hawks, 3-1, at Four Winds Field.

Despite Monday's loss, 18-year-old Domingo Leyba is batting an astounding .524 in his last 12 games.

West Michigan (39-24, 80-53) was 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 runners on base, seven of which were left in scoring position. Meanwhile, South Bend (37-26, 77-55) got seven scoreless innings from Blake Perry and a standout offensive night from Chuck Taylor to pull within two games of first-place West Michigan atop the MWL-East standings.

The Whitecaps had a pair of scoring opportunities early but were unable to capitalize. Despite having the bases loaded with one out in the second inning and runners at second and third with one out in the fourth, West Michigan came away from both rallies without a run.

South Bend capitalized in the middle innings.

SILVER HAWKS 3, WHITECAPS 1

Next game: West Michigan's Jon Maciel vs. South Bend's Brent Jones at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday at Four Winds Field

Radio: WBBL-FM (107.3)

Taylor put together a 3-for-4 night with a triple, two RBI and two stolen bases. After the speedy switch hitter stole second on a disputed call in the fourth inning, Joe Munoz doubled him home for the game’s first run. With runners at the corners and one out in the fifth, Taylor blasted a two-run triple to right-center that staked South Bend to a 3-0 lead.

That turned out to be enough for Perry (5-6), who wiggled out of a series of jams on his way to seven shutout innings. The right-hander scattered six hits – all singles – with four strikeouts, two walks and one double play ball.

Down 3-0, the Whitecaps mounted one last rally against All-Star closer Silvino Bracho in the ninth inning. Singles by Domingo Leyba and Francisco Contreras put runners at the corners with one out and Wynton Bernard reached base on an error, scoring Leyba and putting the game-tying run on base. After a wild pitch, the ‘Caps suddenly found themselves with the game-tying run at second base and just one out.

But Bracho bounced back to earn his league-leading 25th save. After striking out Javier Betancourt looking on a fastball low and away, Bracho induced a game-ending groundout from Mike Gerber to strand runners at second and third.

Matt Davenport (5-6) suffered the loss, surrendering three runs on 10 hits over six innings with four strikeouts and no walks. Davenport has been a tough-luck starter for West Michigan, losing each of his last four starts despite posting three quality starts over that time.

Despite the loss, Leyba stayed hot with four productive plate appearances, singling twice with a walk and a sacrifice bunt. The 18-year-old shortstop prospect is batting .524 (22-42) with 14 runs scored in his last 12 games. Gerber was 1-for-5 with a single in his first at-bat since joining West Michigan on Sunday.

The Whitecaps continue their final road trip of the regular season with a 7:05 p.m. game on Tuesday night against the South Bend Silver Hawks. RHP Jon Maciel (6-6, 3.97) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against RHP Brent Jones (4-2, 2.45) of South Bend. The next home game at Fifth Third Ballpark will feature post-game fireworks on Saturday, August 30, and the Whitecaps are guaranteed at least one home playoff game on Thursday, September 4. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps’ front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.